#MeToo campaign: Symbiosis students speak up against sexual harassment

National NewsPune

NP NEWS NETWORK

Pune

Now, the #MeToo campaign for women which is been alarm to raise voice against the sexual abuse or harassment with victim, it seem the educational hub has not left apart.

Pune based Symbiosis International Deemed University of Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication (SCMC) former media student has raised the issue.

More than 10 former students of Symbiosis Center for Media and Communication shared their incidents related to sexual harassment on them.

The former students have forced the college authorities by giving open letters to them and to take strict actions against the alleged culprits in the cases of sexual harassment with them.

An open letter to the SCMC family:
It is absolutely shattering but at the same time empowering to go through the recent developments across all social media platforms. Though disheartening to see so many similar stories from so many people across the country, it is also certain that the change has come. And finally, for good.

The CASH initiative started by SCMC is one small step in this direction. However, there is another useful tool that can be used in such scenarios- The Internal Complaints Committee.
The aim of the committee is to ensure a smooth process should students seek to complain, and make sure their voices are heard.

Students can simply approach the members of the committee: Madhavi Jain(2020), Disha Hans (2019) and Swati Trivedi (2020), any time of the day in these three years, if they happen to, God forbid, face any sexual harassment.

All current students, we are here to guide and assist you, regarding the documentation and procedures, if you choose to file a case. And Provide support the entire time. If you need a platform to make your voice heard, then ICC can be that voice. If you wish to share your story so that others benefit from it, we’d help you do so, without your identity being revealed, if you choose to keep it so. Your safety and health are essential to us, which is why you could always confide in us, throughout this difficult journey.

Dear Alumni, we are indeed sorry, if you had to face something like this. But we promise you that if you reach out to the ICC, we will take steps and actions if need be. If you’re comfortable in sharing your stories with us, to make sure people are aware of a potential pitfall, please reach out to us. We can do so without revealing your identity and ensuring your safety. You could possibly save a lot of people from falling prey to any untoward action.

In these trying times, we also call upon those who’ve seen someone suffer, yet have remained quiet. If you think you’ve seen something or heard something, PLEASE let us know, we can start a dialogue without ever mentioning your identity. Your one step can go a long long way in making someone’s life easier.

If there are any suggestions for improvements, you can always get back to us, as we constantly evolve to make ourselves more active and approachable. We will work with the institute management to create a safe place that we all deserve.
There are three members of this committee, and you can reach out to whoever you feel safer with. If there’s a complaint about one of the members then you can tell the others, and the necessary actions will be taken.
-Internal Complaints Committee.

Such alleged victims of such incident, accused some faculty members of the institute and some seniors of harassment. Even after repeated complaints by the students, no action was taken by the authorities.

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Some students have also criticised the administration of college claiming it too be a horrifying incident and ‘toxic culture of campus’.

Symbiosis Centre of Media Communication which is one of the top mass communication institutes all over India, is the recent topic of discussion among the students and the faculty.

As, incidents of harassment in such a reputed institute is a matter of discussion and spreads a wrong inspiration to the society.

Although Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), was supposed to hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss for such. Regarding such, Vidya Yeravdekar, principal director of Symbiosis Society said, that many students have written to the institute about their experiences and stories of sexual harassment on social media and would be investigated further by the institute. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Symbiosis will hold a meeting on Wednesday where these complaints will be discussed.

Speaking to media Vidya Yeravdekar , the principal director of Symbiosis Society assured that things have changed better and said,” our each campus has a counsellor and we have and ICC formed which we are investigating the case as per the guidelines of UGC. It will be an impartial investigation.”

The faculty who name have come up for fair investigation such harassers are sent on leave until preliminary investigation.”

Via #MeToo Campaign, the students who have gone through harassment share their incidents complaining about such and demanding action against the alleged students and faculty.

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